Thursday, March 25, 2010

Dragons- BFI

Once upon a time in the halcyon days of 1970 in the Land of Southern California, lived three brothers whose passion for the Beatles, surfing, and the psychedelic movement lead them to create one of the oddest, most totally radical tripped out albums of the 1970's. Combining elements of rock n roll, jazz, and funk the album was titled BFI (Blue Forces Intelligence). Unfortunately this album was so weird and different that record labels, having never heard something like this before, decided to shelve it. The brothers, who were now going by the name The Dragons, were so dismayed that they decided to disband and go their own ways. BFI would never be released.

Fast forward 37 years to an English DJ (DJ Food of Ninja Tune's) digging through some crates in a record store. He stumbles across a piece of buried treasure- a soundtrack to an old 70's surf movie which just happens to feature The Dragons "Food for My Soul." Completely blown away by the fresh and innovative sounds coming through his speakers he decides he must track down the artists who forged this tune and learn their ways. Eventually DJ Food manages not only to locate one of the long lost brothers but also the original mix tapes. After listening to the mix tapes in their entirety, DJ Food realizes that this is just too good and decides to releases the tapes on the Ninja Tune label for the masses to hear. At long last the brothers achieved their dream and BFI was released to critical acclaim. A joyous cry erupted all over the musical world and everyone lived happily ever after.

All story telling aside- this is one dope album. Listening to it one hears elements of Frank Zappa, The Doors, and Air, not to mention some really bizarre sound effects (babies crying, Japanese rhythms, funk vocals!). Oh yeah and that sweet sweet organ player, who lays down the nastiest of grooves throughout each song...he went on to become the Captain....totally nuts, I know.

Disclaimer: It should be noted that the above song is probably the most "normal" one on the album.